Tesla, the first of Magnificent Seven USA to reveal the first quarter data, showed both revenues and profits growing, promising 25 billion in AI investments, triple that of 2025. For 2026 Tesla remains cautious: deliveries and revenues will depend on demand trends, production capacity and the stability of the supply chain, in a still uncertain geopolitical context where the question global of electric vehicles slowing down suggests to the US major instead, accelerate the sectors related to software, artificial intelligence and robotaxi fleets. Meanwhile, Musk said that Tesla will use its next-generation 14A manufacturing process. Intel.
The company led by Elon Musk has registered a earnings of 41 cents per share on revenue (excluding special items) of $22,39 billion, up 16% in the first quarter of 2026. Analysts had expected earnings of 36 cents per share.Net income of 477 million dollars is up 17% compared to the 409 million recorded in the first quarter of 2025. The revenue figure is slightly above the consensus (around 21,4 billion according to average estimates), confirming moderate growth in a market context that has become difficult. Another surprise was the free cash flow, equal to 1,44 billion dollars, against expectations of negative flows.
The initial market reaction on Wall Street after the official close was positive, with a jump of as much as 4% to $254 in after-hours trading.
Tesla will invest 25 billion this year, triple the amount of 2025
In a call with analysts, Musk confirmed that Tesla is preparing to dramatically accelerate investments for start mass production of its new products: Cybercab, Semi truck and Optimus humanoid robots. Tesla has thus increased its spending plans to about 25 billions of dollars to support the Musk's bet on AI. The CEO told investors that this year there will be a “very significant increase in capital expenditure“, which “will be fully justified considering the revenue streams significantly increased.” The new forecast is nearly triple the $8,5 billion Tesla invested last year.
Electric vehicle deliveries are lower than expected. The service sector is accelerating.
In the quarter Tesla has delivered approximately 358 thousand vehicles, an increase of 6% on an annual basis. This figure, however, remains below expectations of the market, reporting how the demand for electric cars continues to be fluctuating globally. The company has however shown signs of recovery in Europe and North America and a sustained growth in Asia-Pacific and South America.
Revenue growth was mainly supported by higher average prices, expansion of the business services (+42%) and growth in sales related to FSD autonomous driving softwareOn the contrary, the decline in the segment weighs energy (-12%) and the reduction in revenues from regulatory credits.
Tesla Becomes Intel's First Major Customer
Musk also announced that Tesla will use the next-generation manufacturing process Intel 14A to make chips in the project Terafab, an advanced AI chip manufacturing complex planned in Austin, Texas.
The contract would mark the Intel's first major customer This technology represents a turning point for the chipmaker, which has struggled to develop its contract manufacturing business, essential to competing with its main rival, TSMC. Intel CEO Lip Bu Tan recently stated that the company would abandon the chipmaking business entirely if it failed to secure an external customer. Intel It had previously said it was in discussions with major customers regarding its 14A technology, but had not yet disclosed the name of a significant external customer. The chipmaker's shares rose 3,6% in after-hours trading.
